Andy Burnham, the Labour Party’s prime ministerial hopeful, has floated a plan to revive the UK’s industrial sector, but experts warn it’s unlikely to bring back the jobs people crave.
Reviving the old industrial heartlands
Burnham’s proposal involves reversing deindustrialization, a process that has seen many manufacturing sites shut down over the past few decades. According to Andy Pike, a professor at Newcastle University, the reality of these old industrial areas is far removed from the romanticized image of “dark satanic mills” often perpetuated by popular culture.
“You’re not just talking about metal,” PIke says. “It’s about the kind of work that’s needed to create a balanced economy. People might think of shipbuilding or coal mining, but it’s also about the tech industry, energy production, and the kind of jobs that are essential for a country’s growth.”
The challenge of bringing back industry
However, bringing back industry to the UK’s old industrial heartlands is easier said than done. Many of these areas have been left to decline, with infrastructure and skills bases degraded over time. Even if new factories and manufacturing sites are built, it’s unclear whether there will be enough skilled workers to fill the jobs.
Additionally, the UK’s post-Brexit trade landscape adds another layer of complexity to Burnham’s plan. The country’s departure from the EU has created new barriers to trade, which could make it harder for British manufacturers to compete with their European counterparts.
What this means
So what does Burnham’s plan actually mean for the UK workforce? Unfortunately, it’s unlikely to bring back the high-paying manufacturing jobs that once defined the country’s economy. Instead, it may create new, lower-skilled jobs in the service sector, which could help to support local communities but won’t provide the same level of economic growth.
